Former U.S. Rep. Ed Case has asked his supporters whether he should run for governor or Congress in 2010.

In a newsletter e-mailed yesterday, Case asked his supporters for guidance and to fill out a survey on their preference for a future campaign. The survey also asks supporters whether they will vote in 2010, where they live, their gender and their age.

The information would help Case better understand the demographic makeup of his political base and could later benefit his fundraising and get-out-the-vote activities.

Case, who ran unsuccessfully in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate against Daniel Akaka in 2006, has indicated that his desire is the Senate.

But Case has said he would not run against Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, D-Hawai'i, who is up for re-election in 2010. His exploration of a state or federal campaign in 2010 is a political calculation that he cannot wait for another chance at Akaka in 2012 or for a Senate vacancy created by retirement or health reasons. Both Inouye and Akaka are 84.

With no Senate vacancy imminent, Case has said he would either run for governor in 2010 or for the U.S. House in urban Honolulu's 1st Congressional District if Rep. Neil Abercrombie, D-Hawai'i, leaves the seat to run for governor.

Abercrombie is sorting through federal and state fundraising issues but is expected to announce his intentions soon. State Senate President Colleen Hanabusa, D-21st (Nanakuli, Makaha), also is exploring a potential run for governor. Mayor Mufi Hannemann has also discussed a campaign for governor as an option.

Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona is the leading Republican candidate for governor.

Honolulu City Councilman Charles Djou has said he is running for Congress in Abercrombie's district in 2010 regardless of whether Abercrombie stays or runs for governor.

"In many ways, picking up where I left off as U.S. congressman is a natural choice," Case wrote to his supporters. "My seniority, public-private experience and longstanding focus on economic vitality can serve both Hawai'i and our country well from Day 1, and I can again contribute to building Hawai'i's next generation of leadership in Washington.

"Our state also faces our own major challenges, just beginning with growing our economy and preserving our Hawai'i. There are solutions that will yield what we all want, but they will require a unique combination of leadership skills, abilities, experiences and commitments in our next governor. I care deeply and passionately for our Hawai'i, and believe I can offer the right combination at a crucial time in our history."

Dan Boylan, a University of Hawai'i-West O'ahu history professor and political analyst, said he was not surprised by Case's survey. He said that in some ways, Case is "ahead of the game" locally at using e-newsletters and the Internet for political outreach.

"It's absolutely no secret that he was ambitious and intended to run for another office," Boylan said.

Other political observers, speaking privately because they are aligned with Case's potential opponents, said the survey was a way for Case to attract attention at a time when much of the speculation is around Abercrombie's future. Case's e-newsletters are meant for his supporters but are viewed widely in news media and political circles.

Case said feedback from his supporters would be important to his decision.

"I believe I can serve Hawai'i equally well in further state or federal office, and have been listening to as wide a range of people as possible about their own views for some time now," he said in an e-mail.

"I've been doing so by all means available, ranging from casual conversations wherever I've been, to my own and what I hear of others' polls, to my e-communications off my Web site with a large and diverse list. This survey is just one of those means from which I'll sum it all up and make my decision."